Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow Review

Yes, stuff sack pillows rule (I have a few by Zpacks).

You refer to the pillow/bag as “waterproof” at least a half-dozen times, though you then say the “waterproof YKK zipper is highly water resistant, making the stuff sack functionally waterproof.” You can probably see the logical fallacy in this sentence. It would be more accurate to call the pillow water resistant due to the weakest link in the chain (the zipper).

But in general, yeah, everyone should try something like this. :^)

I don’t have much experience with “pillow stuff sacks” but from the experience I do have, I have been frustrated by the lack of pillow when I’m wearing my clothes to bed.

I tend to take more puffy clothes and a lighter sleeping bag / quilt (typically a 40 deg quilt for 3 season conditions), for the added versatility of being able to be comfortable while not in my shelter on cold nights.

How often do you guys end up without stuffing for your pillows? For me that’s an issue because I’ll end up with a horrible backache by morning (side sleeper, some back injury history…).

That said — when I am able to stow puffy clothes in my pillow, it’s the best solution – far better than the wobbly inflatable pillows IMO.

I hate stuff sack pillows. Too lumpy, not enough to stuff it with anything . Give me my Exped inflatable pillow and I sleep like a baby.

Cycle touring most people (even very ultralight tourists) generally have some extra “town” clothing, which makes pillow stuff sacks quite a viable proposition.

As I get older, I need more and more pillow, so a dedicated pillow makes more sense to me. If I did a big tour again I’d go with the stuff-sack pillow (I have a couple of zpacks ones, they are fine, and roll top so more “waterproof”).

If its a dual-use item, then the weight comparisons vs a dedicated pillow, need to subtract the weight of a similar sized waterproof/water resistant stuff sack that you would otherwise carry to protect items. So, the weight difference would be greater.